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Comment by jklein11 | Hacker News Reader

Just buy a new laptop. Disable the network card on the old laptop, and transfer the files via usb.

It will probably cost you $2000 tops with all of the software, etc. The cost of wiping the old one will be much greater considering the amount of time it is going to take to make sure everything is off of the old laptop and the risk of missing something.

You mentioned that she doesn't want to lose all of the software on the laptop. Does she own the license for the software or is that property of her old firm?

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>Just buy a new laptop.

Yeah, shure....

Buy a new SSD, put the old in a USB case and install the OS and the apps. I don't know what apps a lawyer needs but it shouldn't take longer than 3 hours while watching TV and 130$.

jklein11,

Thank you for your response and advice. Yes, she owns the license as well as the new firm she joined has purchased the software they use. She doesn't want to go through re-installing and asking for the software again because of the time crunch she is in.

The suggestion in buying a new laptop at this time is not an expense we can take on. I will have to think of something else as the clean wipe is the only way to do it I guess.

Thank you.

If this is a temporary solution you could use the laptop with the network card disabled.

If this isn't a license issue the price of replacing the laptop would be way less. The model you mentioned previously sells brand new for $900 or less. I saw some refurbished models for ~$300.

Is her new firm providing her with a laptop? It strikes me as odd that law firms have a BYOD policy when the data that is stored on them is sensitive and proprietary

jklein11,

The purchase of the laptop when bought new was over $2K. My wife is frugal and won't spend more money on another "new" or "refurb" computer.

Licensing is not an issue. It's the scarce time and how busy my wife is that I can't wipe and re-load.

But, reading everyone's comments the best way is to wipe. I will provide that option to my wife and proceed when I can to wipe and re-install.

Thank you for your response.

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